The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-10-21
Knights and the Church.
Master Workman PowderIy Ex-
plains the Attitude of the Catholic

plains the Attitude OF the Catholic
Church Toward the Knights.
The letter prepared by General Master
Workman Powderly upon the attitude OF
the Catholic Church towards the knights
OF Labor was presented to the grand as
sembly at Minneapolis. The main points
refer to an interview with Cardinal Glib
bons, by Mr.. Powderly, Brothers John w.
Hayes and Tom o REILLY, and their expla.
nation OF tile principles of the knights OF
Labor.
During the interview, which OF long dura-
tion, Cardinal Gibbons said in substance:
After what we have Just learned, the
present condition OF the order is to us an
unmistakable Indication that the control
OF your organization still rests with the
conservative element, and is guarantee
that there will be no rash and dangerous
departures from those features OF it's policy
which command the forbearance and re-
spect, IL not the approval OF the entire
country. We do not infer that the objects
OF the knights OF Labor are praiseworthy
and in no ways opposed to the views OF
the Catholic church. The Catholic pre-.
lates will declare in favor OF labor. The
Catholic church in America will take side
OF the weaker against the stronger. We
readily believe that to rescue the toiler
from the grasp OF the selfish is work for
the nobest and best OF our race, and we
recognize that it is the accomplishment OF
that the grand object that the order OF
Knights OF Labor is bending its every
energy. The church is Justly watchful
against all.
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.
There is no need OF secrecy where the
ends and the methods OF organization are
lnstitiable, and secrecy raises n presump-
bear the light OF day. The Catholic church
is most visible to all creation, and it in
stinctiyely guards against secrecy and con-
cealment. We condemn the work OF nm
archists. Like Samson of old, they would
Tain pull down the edifice OF the constitu.
tion which shelters them, even though they
should perish in the ruins. The man that
would endeavor to undermine the laws
and institutions OF this great and glorious
country deserves the fate OF those who aid
profane hands on the ark OF the eliving God.
Socialism takes defiant position beyond
the pale OF the church, and announces such
an extreme policy that one does not need
to hesitate u moment to reach concIu-
sion as to its merits and influence. 1t
boldly abolishes all religious restraint az
fatuous, denounces oil extant forms OF
worship, and goes back to what it calls
mature" and what the world calls
atheism. We express full faith in the
maintenance OF friendliness between
the church and the order 80 long as you
keep free from affiliations with dangerous
associations and devote yourselves to the
fulfillment OF your legitimate mission"
His enlinence intimated to your commit
tee his intended journey to Rome, prom.
ised to explain the purposes OF the organ
ization at the Vatican, and request ted per-
mission to pledge the order to the mainte.
nance of u lawful and orderly behavior.
How this prince OF the church fulfilled his
| covenant made with us. and how he cham
| pioned our cause in the eternal city, we
know full we'll and the expression OF pom
| titicial good will for the order OF the
| knights of Labor, which came to us last
! March, was due solely to the earnest and
intelligent advocacy OF our cause by Cardi-
| nal Gibbons. His eminence knew well how
| to express and communicate the impulses
| OF his own inspired soul, and our grateful
and profound thanks are due to him for
| the extraordinary iavors he has bestowed
| upon our order in overilowing measure. In
his report to the propaganda his enhance
ssid: In submitting to the holy see
the conclusions which, after several months
OF observation and deep reflection seem to
| ME to sum up the question OF the associa-
tion of the Knights OF Labor, am strong.
| ly convinced Of the vast Importance OF this
| question: which forms but one ring in the
great chain OF the social problems OF our
day and especially OF our country. Tho
| order is not hostile to religion. We have
| not found in the constitution, bylaws and
| official declarations the elements which tho
holy see so clearly indicates as condenna.
tory, and the formula OF the organization
contains neither oath or obligation which
| preclndes those who do not belong to it
from becoming acquainted with their al
fairs. This has been especially explained
to us by the principal officers. No promise
OF blind obedience is required. Not only
their objects and their rules are not hostile
to religion or the church but the very con-
trary. 1t seems to me plain that the holy
see cannot entertain the proposal to con.
demn the Knights of Labor.
First-Because such n condemnation
does not appear to be justified, either by
the letter or by the spirit Of it's constitu.
ton, OF its laws, or by the declaration OF
its heads.
sccondThat such condemnation does
| not appear necessary in view OF the tran.
scout form OF the organization and OF tho
| sosisl condition OF the United States
| Third-That it should not be prudent
on account OF the reality OF the wrongs OF
the workingmen, and the fact that the ex.
istence OF such is admitted by the Ameri-
can public.
Fourth-That it would be dangerous to
| the reputation oil the church in our demo.
cratic country.
Ffth-That it would be powerless to com
pei the obedience OF our Catholic W orkmen
who would regard it as false and iniquit.
GUS.
Sixth-That it would be destructive in
stead OF beneficial in its effects forcing the
sons OF the church to rebel against their
mother and to range themselves with
condemned socialists which they have
hitherto avoided.
Seyenth-That it would turn into doubt
and hostility the marked devotion OF our
people toward the Holy See.
Eighth--That it would be regarded as n
| ,ryoI I,lnxy 10 tho ut of fb., h;.lo,>,
OF the United States who, it is well known.
| protest against such condemnation. :"
Thus it will be seen that his eminence
made n forcible public plea for the work
ing classes. The bearing OF the Vatican,
toward the order has been friendly and
main untouched, and it will be our par
ticular duty to prevent the order from
committing anything against the
CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL LAWS
which might be condemned by the churcn
or state. His holiness, the pope, wisely
determined not to provoke an antagonism
between the church and the mighty indus
trial power that is now making itself felt
throughout this free land OF ours, and
Leo XlII has shown that heis neither rash
nor illiberal Mr.. Powderly then quotes
letters from Cardinals Manning and Glib.
bons giving their views in relation to the
order. Cardinal Gibbons letter closes as
follows: "Remember that the eyes of your
countrymen are upon you, and that they
will watch your proceedings with
the deepest interest, AS alaw abiding and
industrious body, seeking by all honorable
means to improve your condition, you
owe it to yourselves and to the good name
OF your order to set your faces against
anarchiats, nihilists and other dangerous
associations which are guilty OF the base
insratitude OF attempting to undermine
the government that protects them and
the temple OF the constitution that shel.
ters them. Do not permit your reputation
to be tainted by any morbid sympathy
for men who have no substantial griev.
ance to redress. and who strive to make
their cause respectable, by obtaining the
connivance, il not the sanction, ol
your powerful organization. God grant
that your deliberations may be emarlied by
wisdom and discretion and spirit OF true
patriotism, which while seeking To advance
your temporal interests. will merit the up.
proval OF heaven, as well as OF your fellow
citizens There is no reason to fear that
the order, as mn association, will falsify
the good character given it by tho Amcri